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Reading
School
Reading School probably dates from the foundation of the Abbey
in 1120. This would make it one of the oldest schools in England. Although
originally the idea was to educate the poorer people of the town, by
1485 it had become a place for rich people to be schooled.
In 1486 the then abbot, John Thorne,
decided to make changes to the school. He moved it into the Abbey Hospitium.
In 1560 Queen Elizabeth 1st made Reading Corporation responsible for
the school. The corporation had to hire and fire the master and pay
his wages. She did give money for this though.
Dr Richard Valpy became head teacher in 1781. Dr Valpy was an author
of many books on education and a distinguished scholar. He was so strict
that he became known as "the might flogger". He was headteacher
for 49 years and saw the school grow in size.
Reading School closed in the 1860;s but was reopened in 1871 in a new
building in Earley Road. This had been designed by Alfred Waterhouse
the famous architect . The Prince of Wales laid the foundation stone
in 1870.
A new board of Trustees was formed to run the school after it had been
rebuilt. The Council still paid for the school which meant that everyone
who paid money to the Council was supporting a school for rich people.
The Council took back control of the school in 1908.
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